Nokea
The client on digoxin has a potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer the digoxin as ordered.
- C. Increase the dose of digoxin.
- D. Administer potassium supplements.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), which can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Holding the digoxin and informing the healthcare provider is crucial to prevent potential harm. Administering the digoxin (choice B) can exacerbate toxicity symptoms. Increasing the dose of digoxin (choice C) is contraindicated due to the low potassium level. Administering potassium supplements (choice D) may be necessary, but the priority is to address the digoxin therapy first.
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The client on furosemide is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
- A. Hypokalemia
- B. Hypernatremia
- C. Hyperkalemia
- D. Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion in the urine, leading to low potassium levels (hypokalemia). This can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hypernatremia (B) is high sodium levels, unrelated to furosemide. Hyperkalemia (C) is the opposite of what furosemide causes. Hyponatremia (D) is low sodium levels, not typically associated with furosemide use.
What is a condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hypotension
- C. Diabetes
- D. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Hypertension is defined as consistently high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
2. Hypotension is low blood pressure, not associated with increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
3. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, not directly related to blood pressure.
4. Hyperlipidemia is high levels of fats in the blood, which can contribute to heart disease but not specifically related to high blood pressure.
Summary:
Hypertension is the correct answer because it specifically refers to high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Hypotension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are incorrect as they do not directly cause consistently high blood pressure.
The patient is experiencing chest pain and pain radiating to his arms, jaw, and back. The provider diagnosed his condition as a myocardial infarction. The patient asks what happened to him. The best response is:
- A. You cannot tell him what has happened; he needs to wait for the provider to return and explain what is going on currently.
- B. His aortic valve was malformed at birth causing a disruption in blood flow.
- C. All patients who are overweight like him will have a heart attack.
- D. One or more arteries that supply blood to his heart are blocked, thereby preventing an adequate amount of blood from getting to his cardiac muscles.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A myocardial infarction occurs when there is a blockage in one or more arteries supplying blood to the heart.
Which condition is characterized by the lungs becoming scarred and stiff, leading to difficulty breathing and inadequate oxygen intake into the bloodstream?
- A. Pulmonary fibrosis
- B. Cystic fibrosis
- C. COPD
- D. Tuberculosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by scarring and stiffening of the lungs, impairing their ability to expand and contract properly for breathing. This leads to difficulty breathing and inadequate oxygen intake into the bloodstream. In contrast, cystic fibrosis primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems, COPD is a progressive lung disease primarily caused by smoking, and tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. Therefore, the correct answer is A because it specifically describes the scarring and stiffness of the lungs resulting in breathing difficulties and inadequate oxygen intake.
What test measures the pressure in the arteries during the contraction and relaxation of the heart?
- A. Blood pressure test
- B. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- C. Spirometry
- D. Pulse oximetry
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure test. This test measures the pressure in the arteries during the heart's contraction (systolic pressure) and relaxation (diastolic pressure). It provides important information about heart health and overall cardiovascular function. The other choices are incorrect because B (ECG) measures the heart's electrical activity, C (Spirometry) measures lung function, and D (Pulse oximetry) measures oxygen saturation in the blood, not arterial pressure.